TOPICS:1. Stand in the Sand, Community Rally, Sunday May 31,2. Santa Barbara County Community Choice Energy, City of SB June 1 and County of SB June 103. Phillips 66 Rail Spur on June 9 at the Goleta City Council4. Budget items regarding homeless issues, City of SB June 1 and County of SB June 10

3. Phillips 66 Rail Spur at the Goleta City Council on June 9. Council will consider sending a letter to San Luis Obispo County urging denial of the proposed rail spur, in light of risks of oil train accidents, explosions, and fires on the Union Pacific mainline. The agenda is not posted yet, but will be posted at this site: http://goleta.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1123

This item was on the agenda at an earlier Council meeting, and the proposed letter prepared by staff was excellent. The item was postponed until the June 9 evening session. Public testimony, including from SB CAN was heard, however, since people did come to testify at the afternoon session. SB CAN urges people to come to this meeting to encourage Goleta to join many other cities, including Carpinteria, to call for denial of this project that would put our communities at risk.

4. Budget items regarding homeless issues before Santa Barbara City Council on June 1 and County Board of Supervisors June 10.

This message is provided by SB CAN Board Member Emily Allen:

Be A Budget Advocate

Budget Impacts On People Experiencing Homelessness

Few public decisions have a greater impact on people’s lives than decisions about public budgets and spending. It is here that governments make fundamental choices about our values and priorities. It is critical for all of us to be engaged in these decisions. Learn and take action to shape budget choices!

SUPPORT: Committee for Social Justice is requesting $10,000 for the Emergency Jail Ride Program.

SUPPORT: New Beginnings is requesting $10,000 for the Safe Parking Program.

SUPPORT: Increased funding for Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services (ADMHS) to restore services and meet the current and future crisis, rehabilitation, and long term housing and recovery for people with serious mental health care needs.

SUPPORT: Common Ground Santa Barbara County is requesting $40,000 for housing focused street outreach for people experiencing homelessness.

I want to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness, as well as minimize the impacts of homelessness in Santa Barbara County. I hope you will fund Casa Esperanza, Common Ground Santa Barbara County, Safe Parking Program, the Emergency Jail Ride Program and increase funding for Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services (ADMHS) for crisis, rehabilitation, and long term housing and recovery for individuals with serious mental health care needs.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

…Add something about your experience and why this is important to you. For example: “I live in this community and I…” “When I volunteer I see…” “When I was homeless…” “As a service provider…” “As a business owner…”

Thank you for all that you are doing and for taking the time to be a budget advocate!

If you are not already a member, please consider joining SB CAN, a progressive organization working to promote social and economic justice, to preserve our environmental and agricultural resources, and to create sustainable communities. SB CAN advocates a holistic approach to community planning that integrates housing, open space, and transportation to meet the needs of all members of our community and future generations.